By Court Zierk @courtzierk
There is never any shortage of excitement in the NBA, and this week was no different. This week’s power rankings will be indicative of the unpredictable and exhilarating season that we are witnessing. There are surprise teams that continue their hot play, but there are also teams many had high expectations for that continue to disappoint. Here is the Week 14 edition of RantSports’ NBA Power Rankings.
Flip Saunders and the rest of the organization can’t even agree upon the content of a promotional video. That doesn’t bode too well for their future.
The Lakers were ousted from their national television slot on ESPN in favor of bowling. My, how far the mighty have fallen.
There is officially not a more dysfunctional organization in the league. When even the Nets don’t want your trash, you know you’re in bad shape.
Would it be weird to call the 76ers one of the surprise teams in the NBA?
There is little doubt that the Magic will have a different coach by week’s end. At one point this season, I thought this team could contend for the No. 8 seed, but things have gone south in a hurry.
The Pacers are 2-8 in their last 10 games, and things only get tougher for them in February. Don’t be surprised to see the Pacers shop some of their players in the next few weeks.
The Knicks are officially playing .500 ball over their past 10 games. This team does have a pulse after all.
It’s been the same old story for the Celtics. They are well-coached and play hard, but they don’t have enough talent to compete at the end of the day.
At least DeMarcus Cousins made the All-Star team, right?
The Nets wisely turned down the Nuggets' garbage pile of an offer for Lopez. Maybe they aren’t as dumb as they seem.
The Jazz handed the Warriors one of the biggest upsets of the season, but they also lost to the Celtics this week. That’s pretty much who the Jazz are right now.
The basketball gods are cruel. I think Brandon Jennings’ injury doomed their chances at competing for a playoff spot. I never thought I’d say those words in the same sentence.
Who needs Dwyane Wade when you have Hassan Whiteside? Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but he’s been pretty darn amazing.
Here come the Hornets. This is why the NBA is so great. A month ago, the Hornets’ season seemed lost. Now they are in the No. 8 spot in the East and could creep as high as six when all is said and done.
The Bucks have matched their season-best winning streak at three games. Now is the time for them to show us they can sustain their winning ways.
In the latest edition of "things that everyone saw coming”, Dion Waiters apparently doesn’t make any team better.
The Bulls just can’t get out of their own way. They have a lot of work to do if they want to become the team most people, including myself, think they can become.
It finally feels like the Pelicans are starting to click. Could it be that the absence of Jrue Holiday helps this roster make more sense?
As long as the Suns keep winning, it really doesn’t matter what the teams behind them do.
It’s starting to feel like the Wizards may be coming down to earth a bit, and I think it is largely because their bench is absolutely killing them.
After a lull in early January, the Raptors have won seven of eight, once again taking over control of the No. 2 seed in the East.
The Mavs have been very up and down since the Rondo trade. I think they are really feeling the effects of their extremely shallow bench.
The struggle is real in Portland. The Blazers better turn it around quickly, or they may find themselves in the conversation of teams competing for a playoff spot.
Winners of nine straight, the Cavs are finally taking off. With the 76ers, Pacers and Lakers on tap for this week, don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
The Spurs laid eggs in Chicago and Los Angeles, but they are 7-3 in their last 10 games and appear to be turning into the postseason powerhouse we expect.
The Clippers are finally turning into the team that made many people pick them to win it all.
They continue to win, despite the fact that no one really understands how they are doing it. Their offense just isn’t very good and the defense is slightly above average, but they are somehow making it work. It’s really weird.
Other than the Cavs and Hawks, no team is playing better ball than the Grizzlies.
The Warriors lost two games in one week for the third time this season. This seems to be how they operate.
The Hawks finally overtake the Warriors in the rankings. They have won 19 in a row, putting them at sixth on the all-time list. If they get through this week unscathed, it’s time to start talking all-time best seasons.
by Mike Gibson
Hollis Thompson was not supposed to be in the Philadelphia 76ers' long-term plans, but his ability to shoot better than his teammates could dictate otherwise. Read More
These five teams could use Jamal Crawford's presence off the bench, which is why they must target him at the NBA trade deadline. Read More
The NBA All-Star Game is fast approaching, and there are always plenty of stars on the court, but these five players are the ones to focus on when the game tips off at Madison Square Garden. Read More
by Greg Sacidor
If the Houston Rockets hope to compete for an NBA title, here are five last-minute trades they should consider before the 2015 trade deadline passes. Read More
by Greg Sacidor
With the second half of the season underway, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make a few more tweaks to their roster. Before the trade deadline approaches, here are five trades they should consider. Read More
The Philadelphia 76ers may be one of the worst teams in the NBA, but trading Michael Carter-Williams is crazy talk. Read More
by Dave Daniels
The San Antonio Spurs are still defending champions, but where do they grade at the midseason point? Read More
There's speculation the Los Angeles Clippers have entertained the idea of trading Jamal Crawford, which would be a very bad move. Read More
by Seth Lassen
The Oklahoma City Thunder's growth has stagnated in recent years, and the Nick Collison extension will just bring more of the same. Read More
The NBA has moved in a direction Byron Scott clearly was not ready for. He’s handling it less effectively than the infamous dancer from the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Read More
by Jared Doyle
The Miami Heat have had plenty of struggles at their guard positions this season, but Tyler Johnson's recent performances warrant him seeing more playing time over the struggling Shabazz Napier. Read More
by petermallett
Canada's lone NBA team may be having a breakout season, but the overachieving Dinos need to overcome some glaring problems in the month of February. Read More